Maplewood is now FINE FREE for Kids & Teens

Beginning July 13th, new fines will not be charged on books, audiobooks, magazines and music in Maplewood Library’s Juvenile and Young Adult collections, and existing fines on Maplewood items will be waived.

Fine Free does not apply to Family DVDs or Video Games.

Borrowers are still responsible for replacement costs on lost or unreturned items.

Fines will still accrue on juvenile and young adult materials belonging to other libraries and borrowed through BCCLS, ReBL or Interlibrary Loan.

**********

Maplewood Library has taken a step toward eliminating barriers preventing children and teens from using the library. Beginning today Children’s and Young Adult materials will be Fine Free. This initiative will give students a chance to access the resources of the library without penalty. Fine Free applies to books, audiobooks, magazines and music in the Maplewood Library’s juvenile and young adult collections.

Many kids have suspended borrowing privileges due to accumulated fines on their accounts. Beginning today, July 13th, existing fines will be waived on Maplewood items, and new fines will not be charged. It has been found that fines actually prevent children from returning materials.

“Paying library fines represents a hardship for many of our young people, and we want to welcome them back to the library with no strings attached” says library director Sarah Lester. Libraries have found that fines heavily affect low-income children, excluding the very patrons who rely on libraries the most. “We want to ensure that every child has free and equal access to the materials they want to borrow”.

The library has always been a safe community space for learning, growing and accessing information. “We look forward to welcoming back kids and teens who have felt that the library was off-limits to them due to fines” says Lester. “We believe they will do their best to return what they borrow—so other kids can have what they need too.”

Since every library has its own lending terms, fines will still accrue on juvenile and young adult materials belonging to other libraries and borrowed through BCCLS, ReBL or interlibrary loan. Borrowers will still be responsible for replacement costs on lost or unreturned items.